A Train Brings Maroon 5 Into Town and Fans Are Thrilled

The line of the night was, "Got any tickets?" at in Alpharetta on Thursday night, Sept. 1. For a minute I thought I was outside Turner Field because I heard the line so much. But no, it was time for the Maroon 5/TRAIN concert, which was sold out in advance of the show.

Matt Nathanson opened for the two bigger acts, and I guess since it was a school night the crowd got there early. There have been a few concerts that had fewer people in the audience than this opening act saw. That's saying something, as crowds at this venue are notorious for waiting until the main act gets onstage to get to their seats, often not even showing up at the amphitheatre until the opening act is off the stage.

Maroon 5 got on stage at 8 p.m., and their fans were thrilled when the curtain rose to reveal the band. Frontman Adam Levine soon had them rocking as the band performed songs form its newest album, Hands All Over. But the band went back to its debut album as well, singing favorites from it such as "She Will Be Loved."

After a full set, including several songs in an encore, Maroon 5 left the stage for the night. But it wasn't too long (OK, it was about 30 minutes), before the sounds of an approaching train could be heard through the amphitheater's sound system. It was time for Train to roll in, and they did it to an enthusiastic roar from the crowd.

Patrick Monahan's voice sounded fine in Alpharetta, though the band had to cancel a concert in Erie, PA, just five days earlier because he lost a register in it. Apparently he recovered in time.

Songs from their latest album, Save Me, San Francisco, were on the set list, including their latest hit, "Marry Me."

Monahan took the video camera in hand to show the crowd what they looked like from stage, and to show them how they looked while singing back part of the song. He even took a fan's camera from the front row and took a photo of himself with the fans in the shot. It takes a certain kind of personality and charisma to connect with an audience over the course of 90 minutes, and both Monahan and Maroon 5's Levine have it.

If the amphitheater can keep bringing back acts such as Maroon 5 and Train, sold out shows are a better bet. Perhaps these acts can tell them what's to like about the venue, and what doesn't work so they can make sure more top acts will ask to be booked here.

The next concert at the amphitheater will be Roger Daltrey performs The Who's Tommy on Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Some great seats remain for sale as of Sept. 2.